Cultivation: I Can Traverse Otherworlds

The Hundred Flowers Sect’s stronghold was breached. Their Dao Foundation Cultivators were either dead or missing, and all their disciples were imprisoned by the Joyful Sect.

If a portion of the Hundred Flowers Sect’s disciples hadn’t evacuated south, this battle would have likely led to the sect’s complete annihilation.

When the news arrived, it caused an uproar in the Bright Void Sect.

”Senior Brother.”

Liu Huang’er frowned deeply.

”I’ve been walking around the Sect, and people are saying all sorts of things. Morale is unstable, and the situation is not good.”

”Is that so?” Zhu Ju sat upright in the center of the rear hall, the Ten Directions Cross Sword floating silently before him. He replied calmly,

”With the Marketplace acting as a buffer, no large groups of Demonic Cultivators will appear behind our lines. The Hundred Flowers Sect was breached because they had a traitor in their midst. As long as we steadily defend the Sect, we will be fine.”

The place he occupied was the very core of the Bright Void Sect’s Array. It was rich in Spiritual Qi, which constantly washed over his physical body.

Cultivating here naturally came with many benefits.

Pei Jingque spent much of her energy handling the Sect’s daily affairs, yet her cultivation still progressed rapidly. This was precisely because, as the Sect Leader, she often cultivated here.

”That may be so, but with everyone in a panic, it’s still not a good situation.”

Liu Huang’er mused,

”Senior Brother, what if we forbid the disciples from discussing the situation on the front lines? It would keep people from panicking.”

”It’s better to provide an outlet than to suppress it.” Zhu Ju shook his head gently.

”The righteous and demonic paths are at war. If we block the news, I fear it will only give rise to all sorts of vicious rumors.”

”That won’t do!”

He thought for a moment, then said,

”Set up a Marketplace at the foot of the mountain. The disciples can trade amongst themselves. We’ll use commerce to distract them.”

”What a great idea.” Liu Huang’er’s eyes lit up.

”By building a Sect Marketplace, we can also earn Spirit Stones to cover the Immortal Tax.”

With the Bright Void Sect’s Mountain Guardian Grand Array active, all traffic in and out was cut off, making it impossible to do business with outsiders.

However, internal demand remained.

In fact, it was even greater!

With over two thousand disciples in the Sect, and every one of them possessing at least a few Spirit Stones, the Marketplace could easily be sustained.

”Junior Sister.”

Zhu Ju began,

”You’re pregnant. You shouldn’t overexert yourself. These matters can be delegated to your subordinates.”

”I’m fine.” Liu Huang’er waved dismissively.

”I have plenty of energy right now, and I could use some light activity.”

Zhu Ju shook his head but didn’t press the issue. A Dao Foundation Cultivator knew their own body’s condition best.

If she said she was fine, then she truly was.

「Soon.」

The Sect Marketplace opened at the foot of the mountain. Disciples only needed to pay a few Spirit Stones to rent a stall.

Talisman Making, Alchemy, Artifact Refining...

All sorts of stalls opened for business, and for a time, the disciples’ attention was completely captivated by the Marketplace.

...

White Tiger Fierce Killing Sword!

The Sword Momentum was savage and ferocious. Amid the humming vibrations of the Sword Light, the Illusion Realm in his Sea of Consciousness began to tremble.

An overwhelming web of Sword Light surged forward, like the coming of the apocalypse, instilling a sense of utter despair.

In terms of sheer murderous aura,

even the Blood Demon Sect’s Blood God Life and Death Sword could not compare.

”SHIING!”

A sharp gleam of Sword Light silently emerged.

Zhu Ju’s eyes were clear. Facing the terrifying might bearing down on him, he was utterly fearless, possessing an air of elegant detachment.

After countless duels and life-or-death struggles,

he had long grown accustomed to the Broken Sword Intent. Tempered by that Sword Intent, he had even comprehended a Transparent Sword Heart.

Unfettered by the world, yet free to act as his heart desired.

The Flying Sword formed from his Divine Thought spun leisurely, soaring like a shooting star, and struck the incoming Sword Light with inconceivable precision.

”TING...”

The ferocious Sword Light instantly shattered.

At that moment, Zhu Ju had taken the principle of using a small force to deflect a great one to its absolute limit, causing the Sword Light to collapse from within using only the faintest touch of power.

A sword!

An instrument of slaughter.

The Sword Dao!

The Dao of killing!

The White Tiger Fierce Killing Sword was the very embodiment of this Dao.

The dissipated Sword Intent did not vanish. Instead, it transformed into a force of destruction, savagery, ferocity, and grim slaughter.

”BOOM!”

Like a surging tide, an infinite torrent of Sword Light rushed forward.

The entire Illusion Realm in his Sea of Consciousness was almost completely filled by the crimson Sword Light, which annihilated everything in its path.

”WHOOSH!”

Zhu Ju transformed into a streak of light, weaving through the battlefield.

He always appeared in the exact gaps left by the covering Sword Light, flickering from one empty space to the next.

It was the height of perfection!

They moved like two perfectly coordinated dancers; he predicted every single one of the White Tiger Fierce Killing Sword’s moves in advance.

This was no easy feat. Zhu Ju had only managed to succeed after countless attempts and failures.

”CLINK CLANK CLANK...”

His roaming Flying Sword continuously clashed with the beams of light. Although the crimson Sword Light was ferocious, it gradually found it difficult to maintain its assault.

As time passed, his fledgling Ten Directions Killing Dao, weak as a child, actually began to gain an advantage over the ferocious and merciless White Tiger Fierce Killing Sword.

’It’s coming!’

Zhu Ju’s eyes narrowed, and his Sword Light subtly changed.

At the same time, the White Tiger Fierce Killing Sword abruptly converged.

The originally illusory Sword Intent condensed into a simple, unremarkable, four-foot-long ancient Longsword.

The true form of the Broken Sword!

At that moment, it was as if time flowed backward. The Treasure Sword, once wielded by a Late-Stage Golden Core Cultivator, materialized in the center of the realm.

The incomparably vast and majestic Sword Intent made the expansive Illusion Realm feel constricting.

Even though Zhu Ju intentionally kept his distance, he still felt as if the sword’s edge was right before him. At that moment, time and space seemed to lose all meaning.

’This Sword Intent...’

’It’s just a wisp of Sword Intent, yet it possesses the tangible Might of the Golden Core.’

The Golden Core is immortal.

Everlasting!

”Kill!”

Zhu Ju’s eyes lowered. With a sharp cry, the light of his Ten Directions Cross Sword flared brightly as he slashed toward the Longsword.

In the next instant,

”PTHOO!”

he spat out a mouthful of blood and was ejected from the Sword Intent’s Illusion Realm. His face was haggard, yet a hint of a smile touched his eyes.

’As expected...’

’No matter how real the Sword Intent seems, it’s ultimately fake. Its power was a bit weaker this time than the last.’

’As long as I keep forcing out the Sword Intent’s true form and continuously wear it down, the day will come when it’s completely gone.’

’And what’s more...’

’That day is not far off!’

”Master!” Xi Chen rushed over, but before he could even speak, he was startled by Zhu Ju’s appearance.

”What’s wrong?”

”I’m fine.” Zhu Ju took a deep breath, calmly wiped the trace of blood from the corner of his mouth, and asked,

”What is it?”

”Well...” Xi Chen hesitated for a moment before saying,

”Some demonic fiends have appeared near the Sect. A few of them are right in front of the main gate, shouting provocations. Should we go out and teach them a lesson?”

”Pay them no mind.” Zhu Ju closed his eyes and began to regulate his breathing.

”It’s just a trick to lure the snake from its hole. There must be Demon Dao Foundation Cultivators hiding nearby. If we go out, we’ll certainly fall into a trap.”

”As long as the Array is active and we don’t go out, we will be fine.”

”Yes.” Xi Chen bowed his head.

”I understand.”

*

*

*

With the abilities of a Cultivator, controlling earth, turning it to stone, and raising walls was a task that took but a few breaths.

Rows of stone houses could be built in a mere two or three days.

The Marketplace took shape.

Numerous ”merchants” set up shop.

The most ”luxurious” establishment among them was undoubtedly the Sect’s own tavern.

The tavern spanned a full six stalls and sold all kinds of Spirit Wine. The ones that boosted one’s Cultivation sold the best.

”Senior Brother Xu.”

A pretty Female Cultivator poked her head out from their stall and smiled sweetly.

”What are you looking at?”

”The Demon Cultivators.” Xu Hanzhi pulled his gaze away from the sky, nodded at her, and sighed.

”Demon Cultivators have appeared near the Sect. If I had reached the Dao Foundation, I wouldn’t let them run so rampant.”

Before, he had loved wine more than his own life and hadn’t taken his Cultivation seriously.

Even after failing to break through to the Dao Foundation, he had only felt a brief sadness, which was quickly washed away by a few cups of wine.

But now, the Demon Cultivators had arrived.

As helplessness in the face of the Demon Cultivators washed over him, he finally began to regret his past inaction.

’If only...’

’If I had only put more effort into my Cultivation, I would have reached the Dao Foundation and gained a three-hundred-year lifespan. Not only could I fight back against the Demon Cultivators, but I could have given Shuan’er a good life.’

Looking at his new wife, a complex expression flickered in Xu Hanzhi’s eyes as his regret deepened.

”Don’t worry.”

Zhang Fanshuang stepped out of the stall and pressed herself against him.

”With the Sect Array in place, those demonic fiends would only be courting death if they came in. We don’t need to pay them any mind.”

”Mm.”

Xu Hanzhi nodded gently.

”Let’s go back inside.”

...

In the sky, several figures appeared. One of them roared with laughter.

”Is this all the Bright Void Sect amounts to?”

”Is there not a single person who dares to show their face?”

”The former branch of the Jade Void Sect has fallen to such a state. What a disgrace to your ancestors!”

”A bunch of cowards!”

”Trash!”

”...”

The Demon Cultivators used a Secret Technique to shout, their voices piercing through the Array and reaching the ears of every Bright Void Sect disciple with perfect clarity.

An endless stream of profanity and insults against their ancestors rained down.

”Silence!”

Unable to bear it any longer, Liu Huang’er flew into the sky on her Amber Bell Xia, glaring angrily at the crowd of Demon Cultivators outside.

”You demonic fiends, is running your mouths all you’re good for?”

”Heh heh...” one of them sneered.

”Of course, we have other methods. If you’d like a taste, why don’t you come out and try?”

”We guarantee you’ll be satisfied!”

”Heh heh...”

”Haha!”

The crowd of Demon Cultivators outside the Array roared with laughter, their lecherous gazes raking over Liu Huang’er’s body.

”You... You people...”

Humiliated like this before everyone’s eyes, Liu Huang’er trembled with rage, her face deathly pale.

But if she went out, she would be falling right into their trap.

”Junior Sister.”

Zhu Ju’s voice came from below.

”They’re just a few Demon Cultivators. Pay them no mind.”

”Come down!”

As he spoke, streaks of light fanned out across the sky like a meteor shower, creating a canopy of starlight.

Twelve illusory Dharma Aspects materialized out of thin air.

The Investiture of the Gods!

The Twelve Celestial Star Array!

The Tier Two High Grade Array operated at full power, drawing upon the Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi in a hundred-li radius.

As time passed, the twelve Dharma Aspects grew more and more solid.

”Fall back!”

The lead Demon Cultivator’s face darkened.

”Get back!”

”WHOOSH!”

As the Demonic Cultivators frantically retreated, countless points of starlight rained down from the sky, crashing toward the slower Demonic Innates with weaker Cultivation.

”BOOM!”

”RUMBLE...”

The earth buckled and rocks shattered. A few of the Demonic Cultivators were blasted to smithereens.

”Senior Brother.”

Liu Huang’er landed in the main hall, her voice filled with excitement.

”What a brilliant move!”

”We only killed a few Demonic Innates. It’s an insignificant loss for them.” Zhu Ju shook his head.

”Don’t worry about these few Demon Cultivators. The situation at the main Marketplace is the key.”

If we achieve victory at the main Marketplace, the Demon Cultivators who slipped behind our lines will be fish in a barrel, unable to escape.

Conversely, if the Marketplace collapses, the Bright Void Sect will also be doomed.

”Zhu Ju!”

Before he could even finish speaking, an enraged roar echoed from the distance.

”You killed my disciples and grand-disciples, so I will repay you tenfold!”

”Search!”

”Find everyone in the vicinity and capture them! I will execute them by a thousand cuts right in front of the Bright Void Sect’s gates! Let’s see if they come out then!”

Liu Huang’er frowned at his words.

There were many Loose Cultivators near the Bright Void Sect, as well as natives of the Ten Thousand Mountains, and even many ordinary people.

The Sect Array could not possibly protect so many people.

Zhu Ju’s eyes lowered. He pressed down gently with one hand, and plumes of white smoke began to rise from the edges of the Array.

A moment later, the entire Bright Void Sect was enveloped in a thick fog.

Nothing could be seen, either from the inside or the out.

The fog not only blocked sight but also muffled sound, minimizing the influence of the outside world as much as possible.

Zhu Ju had made up his mind. No matter how the Demonic Cultivators provoked them, he would not go out.

Everything

depended on the outcome of the battle at the main Marketplace.